His alleged victim, who is in her twenties and cannot be named for legal reasons, gave evidence to Harrow Crown Court in north west London

Once he had left she began to panic.

"I just could not believe what had happened ... I rang a friend and said a man had come into my room and raped me and I didn't know what to do ... I was very much in shock," she said.

Although reluctant to report the matter because "I was afraid I would lose my job", she dialled 999 soon afterwards.

Neena Crinnion, prosecuting, said the defendant insisted he had not only spoken to his alleged victim at a pub but that she had invited him round later.

Counsel said the defendant insisted that at one stage he even asked the woman: "Do you want me to stop, do you want me to go?" But according to Harley she made it clear she wanted him to stay and consensual sex took place.